NATO bombs Libyan satellite TV

A NATO airstrike hit Libya’s three state-backed satellite TV transmitters over the weekend in an attempt to close down what is claimed to be a voice which incites violence against the Libyan opposition.

“Striking specifically these critical satellite dishes will reduce the regime’s ability to oppress civilians while [preserving] television broadcast infrastructure that will be needed after the conflict,” said a NATO statement on Saturday. “Our intervention was necessary as TV was being used as an integral component of the regime apparatus designed to systematically oppress and threaten civilians and to incite attacks against them,” the NATO spokesman said.

Libyan state television continued to broadcast at least a limited service, however, and the Libyan Broadcasting Corporation issued a statement saying three employees were killed and 15 wounded in the strike.